Cavities can develop at any stage of your life. This usually depends on how strong your oral routine is. Even so, there may be times where your oral routine, including regular check-ups to the dentist, may not save you from cavities. Cavities may occur from a dental accident or even poor dental habits where you use your teeth to bite down on hard surfaces. Depending on how severe your cavity is, you may be able to resolve it at home.
Dental cavities are the first stage of tooth decay and can become a serious issue if you do not get it filled through dental filling treatment. It can help save your smile and allow you to eat your favourite foods again.
Cavities are one of the key signs that you need a dental filling, alongside other signs that you should be aware of, outlined below.
Throbbing Toothache
Throbbing pain inside the mouth can be short and sharp or severe. The dental pain may be concentrated elsewhere from the cavity, but it is a negative sign if the throbbing pain continues for a long period. Do not ignore this as ‘just a toothache’ because there may an underlying concern that needs dental treatment. If the throbbing pain occurs when you bite down on foods as well, it is a sure sign that you may need a dental filling.
Tooth Sensitivity
Sensitive pain inside the mouth is different from toothache. Sensitivity can occur inside the mouth from anywhere, not just from a certain tooth. Again, sensitivity, particularly when eating your favourite foods within hot and cold temperatures, is a sign of an underlying problem.
Damage To An Older Filling
Quite simply, if you’ve had a dental filling fitted previously to cover a hole within a tooth root, you want to avoid the filling from becoming loose again. A loose filling is a sign that you’ve eaten something hard to dislodge it, or your oral routine isn’t strong enough. As soon as this happens, you must get it replaced with a new filling at the dentist.
Fractured Teeth
Beyond cavities, fractured teeth can also be repaired through a composite filling material. If you’ve experienced a minor fracture, your tooth may only require dental filling treatment. A fractured may occur on the front teeth and the dentist can bond the tooth with composite resin to fill out the missing shape.
Bad Breath
Bad breath can occur where food debris become dislodged within a filling. This is likely to be because the filling has become dislodged, causing food debris to get stuck. From this, a bad odour can develop, although bad breath may also occur in other areas of your mouth, it is a sign that the filling needs replacing as well.
It is important that you reduce your chances of tooth decay. A tooth filling isn’t just necessary for holes in your teeth, although it is the likely reason for treatment. Pain and sensitivity can occur if an old filling has become dislodged as well. In both circumstances, in particular, consult your dentist as soon as possible to reduce any sensitivity and restore your smile with dental filling treatment.
If you’re showing the symptoms of a cavity or have recently completed dental filling treatment, you can perform these tips to care for it at home. Alternatively, contact our Chatswood dental team today for support and advice today.